Ejector-type cycle

Abstract

An ejector-type cycle with refrigeration ability improved by utilizing an evaporator efficiently is provided. An ejector-type cycle (50, 60), for exchanging heat using a refrigerant, comprises: a compressor (1) for compressing the refrigerant; a condenser (2) for condensing the compressed refrigerant, a first orifice (3) arranged downstream of the condenser; an ejector (6) arranged downstream of the first orifice and capable of exhibiting a sucking force at the inlet (64) thereof; a first evaporator (7) for exchanging heat with an external fluid by passing the refrigerant and having a refrigerant outlet connected to the inlet (64) of the ejector; a dryness degree adjusting mechanism (4) interposed between the first orifice and the ejector and connected to the ejector and the first evaporator so as to supply the refrigerant thereto, and a second orifice (5) arranged downstream of and connected to the dryness degree adjusting mechanism.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to an ejector-type cycle having an ejector or, in particular, to an ejector-type cycle in which the refrigerant branches at a point upstream of the ejector and which is effectively applicable to the refrigeration cycle of a vehicle climate control system (air conditioner). [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] The vehicle climate control system (air conditioner) generally uses a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant is compressed by a compressor and, after being passed through a condenser, passes through an expansion valve and an evaporator and the air-conditioning air is cooled in the evaporator utilizing the evaporation of the refrigerant. As such a refrigeration cycle, an ejector-type cycle having an ejector arranged before the evaporator is known. The ejector-type cycle is used, for example, in the case where the cooling operation is required to have two temperature bands ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] This invention has been developed in view of the situation described above, and the object thereof is to provide an ejector-type cycle in which the refrigerant is branched upstream of the ejector and the refrigeration ability can be improved by utilizing the evaporator efficiently.

[0009] Another object of this invention is to reduce the cost of the ejector-type cycle.

[0011] With this configuration having the dryness degree adjusting mechanism upstream of the ejector, the dryness degree of the refrigerant at the inlet of the first evaporator and the inlet of the ejector nozzle can be adjusted. As a result, the refrigerant at the inlet of the first evaporator can be maintained at a low dryness degree and the first evaporator can be efficiently used for an improved refrigeration ability. Further, in view of the fact that the refrigerant at the inlet of the ejector nozzle can be maintained at a high dryness degree (a large specific volume of the refrigerant can be maintained), the diameter of the ejector nozzle can be increased and the fabrication of the ejector nozzle is facilitated. Thus, the cost of the ejector unit and hence the cost of the ejector-type cycle can be reduced.

[0015] According to this aspect, the refrigerant at the inlet of the first evaporator is held at a low dryness degree and the first evaporator is efficiently utilized to improve the refrigeration ability. Further, by keeping the refrigerant at the inlet of the ejector nozzle at a high dryness degree, the ejector nozzle diameter can be increased to reduce the cost of the ejector unit.

Problems solved by technology

This conventional technique, however, is considered somewhat inefficient in view of the fact that the first evaporator 7 uses the high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant heated through the second evaporator 8.

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